A Mochtroid is far weaker than any type of Larva Metroid encountered in Samus' previous missions, as its membrane is extremely flaccid and offers poor protection; housed within it is a single minuscule nucleus. Contrary to a Larva Metroid's fangs which are attached to a mass of muscle tissue underneath its numerous and massive nuclei, a Mochtroid's fangs are directly linked to its nucleus without featuring any such tissue in between.

Mochtroids can drain life energy by latching onto their prey like their ordinary counterpart, but they do not possess the powerful grip of the former; as a result, Samus can easily remove a latched Mochtroid with quick movements. She can destroy these failed clones with ease, even without resorting to the Ice Beam or Missiles.

Mochtroids were only encountered in a sub-aquatic Space Pirate outpost in Maridia. The reason why the Pirates attempted to clone the Baby when they had the resources to multiply it with beta rays is never revealed, though it is possible they did this simply as a way of producing more Metroids. This method could've been quickly dropped as the result of the Mochtroids being significantly weaker, explaining why they are only found in one area.

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It is unknown why Mochtroids were only encountered in Maridia. It is quite possible that the Space Pirates "dumped" them in Maridia when they were deemed failures.

Considering their crippling defeats during the Phazon crisis, the loss of one of their homeworlds, along with the eradication of Metroids on SR388, the Pirates were possibly forced into a last stand scenario; naturally, they would want to make as many Metroids as possible in a shorter amount of time, thus explaining their reason for creating Metroids through cloning and beta ray exposure.

Mochtroids are extremely vulnerable to the Grapple Beam, as a single Grapple Beam shot can kill it. Although it is unclear as to why, a possible explanation would be that their weak membranes are vulnerable to electricity or physical stress.